Re: [Paddlewise] re-enter & roll, what works for me.

At 01:50 PM 8/30/99 -0700, Phil Huck wrote:
>   I practice this often in the pool and when I am out
>for a casual paddle with friends.
>   I usually dump via standing in my kayak and
>pretending I am a taxi driver in Venice - why practice
>a wet exit?
>    Anyways, while floating with the boat, bow
>forward, on my left side, I put my left leg in and
>float on my back. I set the paddle to my right side in
>the set up position that I was taught - keeping it
>close.
>Take some really deep breaths, clear your mind and
>hold it in.
>
>             Upside down
>
>With my left leg already in the correct spot, I grasp
>both sides of the cockpit and push in the right foot.
>Grip the thighbraces tightly, they are what keep you
>in place.

I assume that this means that you let go of the paddle at
this point.  I am guessing that in rough seas that it would
probably be a good idea to attach a paddle leash.

>  Now concentrate on putting on the sprayskirt
>quickly.

Is this really necessary?  If the cockpit already has a lot
of water in it you're going to have top pump it out anyway
once you're upright.  I am just wondering how much *more*
water the cockpit picks up when you roll.

>  
>I reach out sideways for the paddle, moving my
>straight arm from horizontal to vertical, usually
>catching it somewhere near the elbow.
>  Now, I slide my sweep hand out, check the blade
>angle and  
>   Roll. Remembering - head last. If you miss, it
>sucks  to have to get out gasping.
>
>Underwater, this should take you about ten seconds
>tops. It may seem like forever, but that is why I
>practice around friends and in a controlled
>environment.
>  This is a lot of fun if you can do it, but I see
>little practical application, why not T-X, dump the
>water and assist climbing in? 

The practical application is that if you're paddling alone it
might be easier than trying to do a traditional paddlefloat
reentry.  BTW, the most recent issue of Sea Kayaker has
an excellent article on paddlefloat reentry.  There is a separate
article which demonstrates how to use a paddlefloat to assist
in lifting a capsized kayak to remove most of the water from the
cockpit.  

If you *are* paddling with someone else the T-X rescue is probably
one of the best ways to get back in your boat.  Last weekend I
was practicing another technique that I think would be quite useful.
It was essentially an assisted eskimo roll.  However rather than 
have your paddling partner present the bow of their boat from a
perpendicular position to assist in rolling up the partner presents
their paddle.  

When the person capsizes they slap the sides of the boat to
get the partners attention and then moves their hands back and
forth along the sides (keeping your hands perpendicular to the
hull) to indicate that an assisted rescue is desired.  The partner
*quickly* paddles up parallel to the capsized kayak and when 
reaching it lays their paddle on the hull, sliding up until the paddle
is placed right into the hands of the person upside down.  That
person then reaches over and rolls up between the boats using
the paddle shaft for assistance.  The trick is for the rescuer to
try and leave enough room between the boats so that the rescuee
doesn't bump their head when rolling up.

This is an easy one to practice because you can start by just having
your partner lay their paddle  just in front of your cockpit so that you
can hold onto it before capsizing between the boats, then, with a hip
snap, come back up.

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